Danny Green says Kawhi Leonard has ‘verbally’ told him he’s staying with the Spurs

The Kawhi Leonard saga in San Antonio seems to be nearing a conclusion, and despite rumors that have said otherwise, it doesn’t look the it ends with Leonard with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Following reports that the Spurs are planning to meet with Leonard and discuss a super max contract extension, Danny Green hopped on ESPN’s “Get Up” to provide some clarity on the two-time Defensive Player of the Year’s future with the Spurs.

“It’s up in the air right now, but I think he wants to be in San Antonio,” Green said. “He let me know that. He’s let me know verbally he wanted to be there so we’ll see what happens.”

Leonard has kept a low profile since going down with a right quad injury in early January however, in the few times he has addressed his complicated situation with the Spurs, Leonard has made it clear he doesn’t plan on leaving the organization.

While it’s not impossible for Leonard to be in play for the Lakers this summer, it’s certainly looking less likely. According to Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer, the Spurs “won’t settle for anything less than a grand-slam offer” in exchange for Leonard, and for a team coming off of their first 35-plus win season in five years, the Lakers would be wise not to make an enormous offer for a player that might be injured or could walk in unrestricted free agency in 2019.

Luckily, the Lakers will have no shortage of options in free agency with names like Paul George, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins all expected to hit the open market this summer. Leonard might spend the remainder of his career in San Antonio, but he’ll have to go through the Lakers before adding another championship to his already impressive resume.